Fire Prevention Week

Each year National Fire Prevention Week is observed around the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and left Chicago in ruins.

Though there have been many changes in building practices and city planning since the Great Chicago Fire to prevent that kind of widespread devastation from happening again, individual homes and structures are still routinely destroyed by fires that all too often could have been prevented. And though these fires don’t cause widespread misery, losing a home to fire can be devastating to an individual family.

To help prevent needless tragedies, the Melbourne Fire Department is joining with the National Fire Prevention Association and communities all across the country to educate residents about things that they can do to prevent fires in their homes — and how to safely escape a fire should one happen.

This year's Fire Prevention Week campaign is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” which aims to inform people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire––and how to escape safely in the event of one:

Look for places where fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.

Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.

Learn two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

Learn More:

Check this page each day during Fire Prevention Week for a new fire safety tip. Or you can follow us on Facebook or Twitter.